In Edgar Allen Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher, originally published in 1839, has conflict with which character is actually insane. Throughout the text we presume that Roderick the narrators friend is the insane one and that the narrator has came to his friends aid. As we read further into the story we … Read more
Edgar Allan Poe was notorious for writing poems which typically involved the death of a young girl whom he loved with a melancholic undertone. Poems “The Raven” and “Annabel Lee” follow this theme. Poe was a tortured man who experienced many tragedies in his lifetime which would later inspire some of his most woeful works. … Read more
Every living being in the world has different stories to tell, whether they be good or bad. Although people may have similar situations or have experienced the same things, the fact is no two people have lives that mimic each other. Many authors use different inspirations to write stories, whether that be the sky or … Read more
Edgar Allen Poe’s fictional short story, “The Masque Of The Red Death” opens with a lurid depiction of a world stricken with abominable plague. The character, Prince Prospero, believes that hiding in his sublime castle will prevent death from ever reaching him, unaware that this will cause his demise. Poe’s short story conveys the realistic … Read more
Moral Dualism has many meanings two of which are its philosophical and theological aspects. The philosophical definition is a view of the world consisting of two fundamental principles, including mind and matter or good and evil. The theological definition a view of the world in which it is ruled by two opposing forces, including good … Read more
Two of the of the defining characteristics of romantic poetry are the use of strong emotions and an interest in youth. Published in 1849, just a few months before his death and only two years after the death of his beloved wife, Virginia Eliza Clemm Poe, Edgar Allen Poe’s “Annabel Lee” is the epitome of … Read more
We are introduced to Caliban in the latter half of the first act of the Tempest. Caliban is the son of the malevolent witch Sycorax, and is one of the most intricate characters of this play. Caliban’s multifaceted nature is slowly revealed throughout the play. Caliban is described as a “blue-eyed hag” and a “freckled … Read more
Edgar Allen Poe introduces several literary terms throughout his works “The Raven” and “The Tell-Tale Heart” to connect the reader with the characters, setting, tone, and mood. Poe’s masterful use of diction, allusions, and symbolism throughout “The Tell-Tale Heart” and “The Raven” creates an eerie and frantic mood. Poe’s diction and connotative language are used … Read more
William Shakespeare’s The Tempest is a remarkably sincere piece of elaborate theatrical artifice discussing the notion of power and control and its ramifications in distinct situations and scenarios. Encompassing a grand plot of usurpation, the play highlights the complexities of individuals that are products of Shakespeare’s context through form, setting, and meta-theatrical elements. The tragicomedy’s … Read more
Shakespeare was an expert at making people and things appear to be what they aren’t. Whether it be women disguised as men, characters posing as friends and family whilst planning to commit deceit, and characters being driven mad; identities are consistently blurred and misguided. In many cases, the idea of appearance and reality is the … Read more
One of the best and successful writers of the 17th century, William Shakespeare who won the hearts of many through his plays, sonnets, poems, etc. Modified English literature and added new words to the English language. Shakespeare was born in the English Renaissance era which was between 1558 to 1603. An era which was culturally … Read more
In The Tempest, Caliban is described as a “savage,” a “demi-devil,” a “hag-seed,” and a “strange fish,” but he could also be described as a “native.” Scholars have speculated him to represent how the English would’ve reacted to the Native Americans in the New World. Others have stated that his character represents the fear of … Read more
In Barbara Fuchs’ Conquering Islands: Contextualizing The Tempest, the writer discusses the modern interpretations of The Tempest by William Shakespeare is Americanized in that its readers believe The Tempest to be a representation of the European conquest on America; however, Fuchs believes that, although this belief keeps The Tempest relevant, it is a representation of … Read more
Shakespeare wrote his plays for everyone, never just for aristocrats and nobles or the middle and lower class. He made his works to be relatable to all. As centuries passed, the original visions of his works were lost. Now a day, artists are often compelled to ‘dumb down’ his works so audiences can understand and … Read more
William Shakespeare’s play The Tempest is a tragicomedy that makes conscious points about postcolonialism in the New World. The play tells a story about Prospero, who is trying to regain his dukedom from his brother Antonio after he is exiled to live on an island with his daughter, Miranda. Prospero arrives at Sycorax’s island and … Read more
